Sent into orbit to record the shape of the ocean’s surface, two satellites helped scientists understand a deadly tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
Published Jan 20, 2005
This image shows both internal waves and surface waves on the Indian Ocean near the Andaman Islands on March 6, 2007.
Published Jul 10, 2010
A tsunami washed over the low-lying coastal resort region near Camaná,southern Peru, following a strong earthquake on June 23, 2001. The earthquake was one of the most powerful of the last 35 years and had a magnitude of 8.4. After the initial quake, coastal residents witnessed a sudden draw-down of the ocean and knew a tsunami was imminent. They had less than 20 minutes to reach higher ground before the tsunami hit. Waves as high as 8 meters came in four destructive surges reaching as far as 1.2 kilometers inland. Thousands of buildings were destroyed, and the combined earthquake and tsunami killed as many as 139 people.
Published Mar 17, 2002
Atmospheric waves and internal waves make an appearance on the same day off the western coast of Australia.
Published Feb 17, 2016
Scientists observed the calving of several large icebergs from the Sulzberger Ice Shelf in Antarctica as a result of the March 2011 tsunami half a world away in Japan.
Published Aug 9, 2011
When tides, currents, and gravity move water masses over seafloor features, they can create wave actions within the ocean.
Published Feb 10, 2020
NASA scientists are using a modern version of a 150-year-old photography technique to capture images of shock waves created by supersonic jets.
Published Oct 7, 2015
Landsat images helped convince researchers that a slumping mountainside overlooking Barry Arm fjord could pose a tsunami hazard.
Published Oct 5, 2020
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 8.9 earthquake struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) east of Sendai. If the initial estimate is confirmed, it will be the fifth largest earthquake in recorded history.
Published Mar 12, 2011
